“A seductive singing temptress with a natural captivating power…” –the late Dr. Herb Wong

“Christine Rosander is a talented songwriter with a real point of view.” – Joe Henry

“A bright light and a songwriter with plenty to say.” – Mary Gauthier

Some people are literally born to make music. And one of those people is singer/songwriter Christine Rosander. Lest anyone write that off as just another cliché, consider this. Her mother was a piano teacher and singer, and a college voice major even while she was pregnant with Christine.

Those early lessons must have reached the womb, because today, with the release of her new album, the appropriately titled Been A Long Time, Christine Rosander fulfills a promise hinted at early on. They extend from her initial encounter with the music she was surrounded within church to the lessons learned from her beloved grandfather — Grandpa Ray, who taught her to heed the bonds between life, love and family — and her voice teacher, Perla Warren, who showed her how to take a song and make it on her own, giving Christine a gift that’s resonated with her ever since.

Now an accomplished musician and teacher, Christine remembers the gift given her by her early mentors and strives to pass them forward.

“Every morning, I wake up and thank God for the two mentors who inspired me to sing,” she says. “One of my fondest memories growing up was my mother’s love for music. Notes drifted through the house like the scent of warm cookies baking. I heard singing, classical piano, music lessons, choir practice, records playing and it all became the soundtrack to my life. Mom helped me see the instrumental role music played to the heart, and to life itself.”

“Later in college, my mother passed the baton to Mrs. Perla Warren. It was here my world broadened. I soaked in jazz, and was introduced to the new world of freedom and creativity improvisation brought. Working with Mrs. Warren gave me the courage to say that I had found my life’s calling.”

That commitment and dedication, and the ongoing inspiration shared by all her mentors, reside at the heart of Been A Long Time, a set of songs graced by Christine’s emotive vocals and superior song craft. Blending the emotional eloquence of Carole King and the storytelling prowess of Jackson Browne and James Taylor, it shares her heartfelt sentiments in ways that are both eloquent and engaging. The title track itself resonates simply and succinctly, a touching testimonial to those who offered their wisdom as she traversed her life’s journey. The tender track “Love Remains” offers testament to those bonds, which remain at the core of her conviction. Another beautiful ballad, “Love Me the Way I Am,” finds her sharing herself unapologetically, asking for that gift which we all crave — that is, acceptance and appreciation for the things that makes us all unique. The infectious, gospel inspired “Honey for my Soul” shares the many magical memories that set her off on her journey while the tender and touching “My Heart Believes It’s So” and “You Made Me Who I Am” sum up those sentiments and the passion and purpose gained along the way.

Aside from surrounding herself with a talented group of musicians, chief among them, Doug Petty (Piano, Accordion), Edwin Livingston (Bass), Paul Alexander Gonzalez (Drums and Percussion), Mick Taras (Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin), and Aaron Sterling (Drums and Percussion). Christine herself sings lead vocals, plays piano and shares production credits with Mick Taras. The album was engineered and mixed by Talley Sherwood at Tritone Recording in Los Angeles and mastered by Kim Rosen at Knack Mastering, Ringwood, New Jersey.

Winner of the Independent Vocalist of the Year honors at the Los Angeles Music Awards for her jazz interpretation of “There is a Balm in Gilead” (culled from her acclaimed first album, Smooth Ride); Christine grew up in Northern California embraced by a church-going family. She began studying classical piano at the age of four and later took up pop and jazz performance. She subsequently earned her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and Commercial Composing and Arranging from Cal State Long Beach and later became the first vocalist to earn a Masters degree from USC in Jazz Studies. Since then she’s practiced her craft singing in choirs and a cappella groups, and as a soloist and pianist in both small and large venues. In addition, she’s taught music privately for over 20 years and holds membership in SAG-AFTRA and the Music Teacher’s Association of California.

“It is my heart and soul’s purpose that I give my all to my students,” she says. “Inspired by my wonderful teachers, I want to pass on the love affair with music I’ve had the opportunity to experience.”

Nevertheless, her journey hasn’t always been easy. An abusive marriage left her filled with self-doubt and fear. Ultimately, it’s her art, ability and the gifts given her by those who left a meaningful imprint on her life that drives her and inspires her to share her talents with others.

“I’ve realized that everything good about my life, everything important to me, has nothing anymore to do with painful memories or experiences,” she insists.

“I have been transformed in many ways. I believe in myself and write songs.  I’ve regained my self-worth. I remember who I am and all I have to offer the world. I remember my roots and family, who were so special and wonderful. I remember the artists I listened to and loved and was guided by, as I hope to guide others. This is where I come from, this is my hope, my commitment, my authentic self.”